A greener, safer, freer — and more equal — future

Sweden has been holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union since January 1, 2023. The main task of the Swedish Presidency is to work in the interest of the European Union and its 27 member states and to advance our common agenda. Our main priorities during this presidency include security, green and energy transition, competitiveness, promotion of democratic values and the rule of law. 

In a broader context, strengthening the European Union’s cooperation with our neighbours and close partners, such as Jordan, is of paramount importance and crucial in our efforts to achieving peace, security, growth, facilitating the digital transition and collectively addressing global challenges, such as climate change, as well as, the food and energy crises. Jordan is a key partner for the EU at the global, regional and bilateral levels. 

Throughout decades, the European Union, Sweden and other member states remain committed to supporting Jordan’s stability and economic development, and in joining forces in navigating the many challenges in the region. We stood, and continue to stand side by side, in providing support to refugees escaping conflict, in fighting terrorism and organised crime, in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and in food security in the region despite the impacts of Russia’s ongoing aggression towards Ukraine.

We also direct our support to key sectors that touch the lives of every Jordanian, such as education; health; climate, environment and water; rule of law, support to civil society and the promotion and protection of human rights. We have an ambitious plan to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in various spheres of life as we strongly believe that gender equality is an imperative to well-being, economic growth, prosperity, good governance and peace and security.

As we celebrate the International Women’s Day, we take this opportunity to welcome the ongoing efforts of so many actors in Jordan working to enhance women’s participation in the labour force and to encourage women’s engagement in the political life. When more women participate in public life and are elected to public office, policymaking increasingly reflects the priorities of families, women and disadvantaged groups. At the local level, women’s participation in public office can lead to prioritisation of the well-being of their communities. This remains work in progress everywhere in the world, including in the member states of the European Union; Jordan’s political and economic modernisation plans are steps in the right direction.

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. The European Union endeavours to seize this opportunity to further promote women’s empowerment and gender equality in the context of the digital world, and address all aspects of the gender digital and technology divide, tackle structural barriers and bias, and end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.  At the same time, we want to leverage current and emerging technologies to accelerate gender equality by ensuring that women and girls have equal access to inclusive, equitable and quality education, to enable them to enjoy a full, equal and meaningful participation in all spheres of society.  

The world is facing multiple crises, and the need for European unity, but also close, friendly and neighbourly relations with countries like Jordan, has never been greater. The beauty of the European Union lies in the unlikely combination of our unity and our diversity. It is this particular aspect that allows us to build multifaceted relations with Jordan, and it is thanks to this that we will continue to work together to overcome common challenges and achieve results for a greener, safer, freer and more equal future. 

Maria Hadjitheodosiou is ambassador of the European Union to Jordan.  Alexandra Rydmark is ambassador of Sweden to Jordan